OUR BLOG

25 September 2018

CrossFit describes its strength and conditioning program as "constantly varied functional movements executed at high intensity across broad time and modal domains."

Many have created opinions and voiced criticisms about CrossFit without ever participating in it or learning what it is all about. Below are common myths of CrossFit and why they are not true.

1. CrossFit is incredibly dangerous! Any activity can be dangerous if done incorrectly. If you have an experienced and highly trained coach working with you, he or she will make sure you are doing the movements safely and correctly. Take the same amount of caution you would with any workout, drop your ego at the door, and communicate with your coach.

2. It will make you big and bulky. Everyone's body type is different but for the majority of the population, starting CrossFit will help you lose weight and then tone your muscles. For the typical woman that attends a CrossFit gym, unless they are training daily and taking supplements to enhance their muscle-building process, they will not get "bulky."

3. Only fit people can do CrossFit. Everyone must start somewhere! Even the big names in CrossFit began by picking up the smallest weights and learning the moves one at a time. The beauty of CrossFit is that everything can be modified to accommodate any fitness or skill level. You just have to get started!

4. It is very expensive. CrossFit memberships vary based on location, size and resources. Let's say that you pay 5000 each month and you attend classes four days a week. That comes out to be very afffordable each session for programmed workouts, small-group personal training, use of the facility and a supportive community.

5. You HAVE to start eating Paleo. Yes, going Paleo may improve your performance as a CrossFit athlete and potentially resolve any gut issues you might have from difficulties digesting grain-based carbohydrates, but a CrossFit gym will not force that way of eating upon you. They may help you and encourage you to improve your overall relationship with and knowledge about food, but you get to make the decisions about what you put into your body.

6. It takes tons of time. One hour a day! That's it! Give yourself those 60 minutes to do something that will improve your health and the way you live. Most gyms offer classes in the early morning hours and times in the evening for those that work 8 to 5. If you go four to five days a week, that is four to five hours of your total 168 hours available to you each week. Even if you're a very busy person, that seems manageable in the grand scheme of things!

7. CrossFit is a cult! When you love something and it becomes a huge part of your life, you want to shout it from the mountain tops, right!? Well, that's why if someone does CrossFit, you know about it right away! They have to share it with you because it has changed their life — and they probably want you to join them so it can change yours, too!